The Duchess of Cambridge almost suffered a Marilyn Monroe moment when a gust of wind blew her dress up as she paid her respects to India's war dead at a national monument.

Kate was able to catch the hem of her gown in time and save any embarrassment as she laid a wreath with husband William at India Gate, the country's war memorial.

But she was plagued by a number of strong gusts that not only sent her Emilia Wickstead outfit billowing into the air, but wrapped her hair around her face.

India Gate is a towering 42-metre high arch designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in the heart of New Delhi, but its open plan channelled the wind, turning a strong breeze into troublesome gusts.

The Duchess managed to keep her composure throughout the sombre ceremony that honoured the 70,000 Indian soldiers who died fighting for the British Army during the First World War.

When the royal couple first arrived they walked slowly behind a large wreath made from marigolds and carried by two ceremonial soldiers. As they neared the centre of the arch, they took the floral tribute from the servicemen.

The monument and other shrines within it recognise the sacrifice of Indians who fought in the 1914-18 war, as well as other conflicts including the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971.

As the Cambridges observed two minutes' silence after three buglers had sounded the last post, the Duchess clasped her hands in front of her as she held on to her dress.